Our nation is on fire, quite literally, this week. We and the people we care about are feeling fear, anxiety, a relentless uncertainty about what is to come next. Every scary news story this week has been beyond my imaginations of what could happen to people. And in that fear - the fear of the now, the fear of the unknown, the fear for our future - I am reminded that far too often I have trusted institutions to protect us, and when those institutions fail, I am left with a terrifying hopelessness. And so I write this to remind myself that in these times, especially, I must reflect on the promises of a faithful God for hope.
I remind myself that my God is a God of justice. He rejected cultural norms of a perverted justice to uplift a justice that was not prejudicial, did not favor those in power, was compassionate and yet consistent in conviction. The Lord says to Zechariah: "do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart." They did not heed that guidance, and they were "scattered... with a whirlwind among all the nations that they had not known." God is just, and when we pervert justice, we know he is paying attention.
I remind myself that my God is a God who loves the newcomer and the stranger. Leviticus 19:34 writes: "You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God." At a time when we seem to be normalizing a fear of newcomers, of those who have come to seek refuge here, I am reminded that the story of God's people is the story of a people seeking refuge, of a people escaping oppression.
I remind myself that my God is a God who cares for the poor. James 2 reminds us "has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?" The passage speaks about those who exalt the rich and reject the poor as people who "make distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts." At a time when those who need the most are being sacrificed for the wellbeing of the wealthy, I am reminded that our God is a God who cares for the poor.
I remind myself that my God is a God who embraces the diversity of His people. Galatians reminds us that there is "neither Jew nor Greek" and that "if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise." I am reminded that Jesus sought out and elevated those who were rejected by society - the Samaritan, those who did not hold power in society. At a time when we seem to only think that certain people fit into our mold of the deserving, that there are certain characteristics that make one belong more than others, I am reminded that the story of God's people is one of a rejection of homogeneous power in service of embracing the diversity of His people.
The story of God's people is, however, also one of great pain and oppression. Many in our time use passages that seem to normalize putting down one group, often a marginalized group, to uplift another, often one already with great power. And yet, the story of Jesus' ministry, His death and resurrection, and His redemption is one that is fundamentally counter-cultural and revolutionary. He called out the Pharisees and uplifted groups like the Samaritans who were marginalized and left out of power. He centered women in his ministry. He made it a point to honor children. His ministry was one that sought to right the wrongs of the current culture and powers in service of justice and compassion. And at a time when the world is normalizing a rejection of equity, I am reminded that Jesus' ministry was fundamentally one that sought equity and inclusion in ways that would correct historical and cultural wrongs.
This is a hard time, and Lord, I am trusting you with our nation.
Amen.
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